Player News Retained List 24/25

[BicesterU]

Our defence is clearly not good enough just look at our goal difference

I’m not sure you can pin the number of goals we’ve conceded just on the defence.

Our midfield has looked frighteningly porous far too often this year, and it’s hard *not* to concede goals when you so regularly have 3 or 4 opposition players bypassing your midfield and bearing down on your back line so often.

 

[Vancouver Yellow]

I’d hope we have another look at Knibbs at Reading. He’s had a solid season. (assuming they’re not promoted)

 

[BicesterU]

Your point is fair but I worry about doing too much too quickly. It's been white knuckles at times but we have a team already that is capable of staying in the Championship under GR. If his later half point tally was replicated in the first half I'm thinking we would be mid table.

We don't need major surgery is my view but instead requited targeted key signings in a few areas - CB, DM, CF (x2?) and LW.

There are a fair few players that should leave but who would go with my absolute respect and thanks for getting us to where we are.

Absolutely this. You’re constantly looking to raise both the floor and the ceiling of your squad.

It’s a constant case of ‘where are our weak links, and how can we strengthen them.’

I hope the recruitment team aren’t too proud to try and move on players who have come in in the last 12 months, but who have shown over the course of the season that they’re not ready for the Championship - Sibley, Phillips, El Miz, to name three.

Given what Rowett was saying about the size of the squad in Jan, I wonder if we’ll see the budget go on fewer players, rather than the approach in the summer of taking a punt on a few guys, some of which haven’t worked out.

 

[Northernyellow]

Don't know the situation with CB's at Leicester but it wd be good if we could get Nelson one way or another (I know zillions)

No chance with Nelson, I'm afraid. Chelsea are in for him. Which probably means they'll sign him for £15-20M, give him a five year contract at £100K/week. And then stick him in the reserves.

 

[tim lane]

Our defence is clearly not good enough just look at our goal difference

The poor goal difference can principally be put down to three games - two with Des and one immediately post him - Middlesbrough 2-6 / Sheff U 0-3 / Leeds 0-4 - equals minus 11. For the most part, I think the defense has been our strongest unit.

 

[Steppers]

Eastwood has signed an extension pre Xmas, maybe even when Des was still here. He and the club happy with his squad role (no idea why not announced)

 

[Coffin Dodger]

No chance with Nelson, I'm afraid. Chelsea are in for him. Which probably means they'll sign him for £15-20M, give him a five year contract at £100K/week. And then stick him in the reserves.

So probably available on loan again, although Leicester may have first refusal.

 

[38yearsofpain]

Only 5 teams have conceded more goals than us and 3 of those are the current bottom 3. I would say we need to improve both at the back and up top if we want to finish comfortably in mid table next season.

But a significant part of those goals were conceded under the previous regime. The past two, three months we have defended well. Our primary issue is creating and scoring goals. It speaks volumes that our most attacking weapon is a long throw. I equally understand that upgrading attackers will cost many millions. It is a big dilemma and we may have to take big risks on untried championship talent.

 

[tonyw]

You could argue our defence has been put under alot more pressure than other teams defence due to lack of quality in midfield and upfront that can hold onto the ball.

Absolutely this.

You look at any of the possession stats this season (pure possession %, opposition total touches, opposition touches in the final 3rd, opposition touches in the area) and we are bottom four in all of them.

Our defense has been regularly under siege all season because we can't keep the ball further up the pitch like most Championship teams can. In the face of that, I think the back four, and Cumming, have actually done remarkably well.......especially since Rowett came in and organized them better.

We'll need to replace Nelson, obviously, but otherwise I would not be focusing on the defense too much - we have a decent group. But the central midfield needs a quality addition (two if we can't bring Matos back) and the forward positions need a big overhaul.

 

[WRox]

Absolutely this.

You look at any of the possession stats this season (pure possession %, opposition total touches, opposition touches in the final 3rd, opposition touches in the area) and we are bottom four in all of them.

Our defense has been regularly under siege all season because we can't keep the ball further up the pitch like most Championship teams can. In the face of that, I think the back four, and Cumming, have actually done remarkably well.......especially since Rowett came in and organized them better.

We'll need to replace Nelson, obviously, but otherwise I would not be focusing on the defense too much - we have a decent group. But the central midfield needs a quality addition (two if we can't bring Matos back) and the forward positions need a big overhaul.

Agree totally, since Rowett took over we’ve conceded 23 in 21. GD of -1. Now I think we’re more solid generally which has meant less goals scored, but that defensive record is easily top half across a full season.

Helik’s contributed enormously to that and hit the ground running. I’d also say Hidde Ter Avest has settled in much more in Rowett’s system and shown why he’s played so many top flight games in Holland and Italy.

We’ll need to replace Nelson, but I don’t see why we’d want to be mucking around with our defence much more. I’d rather we focused on finding some forwards that can help us carry more of a threat on the counter attack.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

Agree totally, since Rowett took over we’ve conceded 23 in 21. GD of -1. Now I think we’re more solid generally which has meant less goals scored, but that defensive record is easily top half across a full season.

Agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment re:defence (and recruitment) but we've actually scored 22 goals in 21 games under Rowett vs 21 goals in 21 games before - so whilst it may feel like we've sacrificed some attacking prowess we really haven't.

We've gone from a team that doesn't score enough and concedes too many to one that doesn't score enough but concedes a comparable amount.

And that's absolutely fine by me.

As you suggest - some real quality in the final 3rd (wherever we can find it), a bit more drive in midfield (Matos plus another), and a comparable replacement for Nelson.

 

[TobyDavis34]

We definitely don't need to keep Bennett and Currie and Leigh. One of those 3 leave, and my money is on Bennett. Brown can play CB and LB.

Similarly, Ter Avest, Kioso are the RBs, with Long as the CB / RB cover.

CBs we already have Helik, Moore, Brown, Long, Negru coming back, Thorniley… I think we'll try to offload Thorniley and we need to decide if Negru is ready to step up. If he is, then we need another quality (Nelson level ideally!) centre back. If we loan Negru back out, then we'll need two.

DMs - we have Vaulks, Brannagan, El Miz and Sibley, whilst McEachran will be released, which will leave us very light in this area, because I highly doubt that we keep Sibley. If we can get Matos back, that would be great, but I think we need at least one more for this position considering we play two pivots. I think we will keep El Miz.

 

[LowerSouth]

I’d add Kioso to the “release ” list .
Too much of wild card for my liking .
His decision making is questionable.
Also El Miz.

 

[Didcotox]

Think Moore may leave. I think he turned down a new contract?

 

[Scotchegg]

Our defence is clearly not good enough just look at our goal difference

We conceded 37 in our first 21 games and 23 in our last 21. Unfortunately, Des was too naive in the way we set up with one holding midfielder and this left us horribly exposed at the back.

The simple change of putting Vaulks and Brannagan together has tightened us up and we're defensively stronger as a consequence.

So goals conceded are not a reflection on the defence alone anymore than goals scored are solely down to strikers.

 

[Yellows1]

Think Moore may leave. I think he turned down a new contract?

Starting to get injury prone too, we need to move a few on and bring in better quality to survive in this league, Plymouth didn’t and look where they are, big summer for sure!!

 

[BicesterU]

I think on the list of those who either won’t have contracts extended, or will be told they’re surplus to requirements and are free to look elsewhere are:

Thorniley
Bennett
McEachran
Sibley
El Mizouni
Dale

Will be interesting to see what happens with Goodwin, and whether he leaves permanently.

Slightly separately to this conversation, if we are able to secure our safety before the end of the season then I wonder if Rowett is the type of manager who might give players like Snowden and Griffiths a taste of a match day squad.

 

[Ewes]

Also, it would be utter madness if we let GR leave (I know you arent saying that but it's a point I want to make)

Yep, I don’t think we could currently do better than GR, but I would’ve preferred Mark Robins when we were looking for Des’ replacement.

My only concern with GR is that his time at previous clubs shows he hits a ceiling, plateaus and can’t improve the teams any further, which is why he moves on. Pretty much like every manager I guess and even Pep has now hit that same ceiling.

 

[SteMerritt]

My only concern with GR is that his time at previous clubs shows he hits a ceiling, plateaus and can’t improve the teams any further,

His "plateaux" is apparently 8th in the Championship. I don't think we will be getting bored bashing our heads against the ceiling any time soon...

 

[Fanatica]

Appreciate this isn't a transfer rumours thread, but my understanding is that TG isn't happy with his treatment post-red card. I really wouldn't be surprised to see a transfer there..

 

[Symp59]

Talk about the gulf in the championship we spend £600,000 on agents fees including Gary and his no2 ,Leeds spebd over £18 million how well are we doing to compete.

 

[Northernyellow]

We definitely don't need to keep Bennett and Currie and Leigh. One of those 3 leave, and my money is on Bennett. Brown can play CB and LB.

Similarly, Ter Avest, Kioso are the RBs, with Long as the CB / RB cover.

CBs we already have Helik, Moore, Brown, Long, Negru coming back, Thorniley… I think we'll try to offload Thorniley and we need to decide if Negru is ready to step up. If he is, then we need another quality (Nelson level ideally!) centre back. If we loan Negru back out, then we'll need two.

DMs - we have Vaulks, Brannagan, El Miz and Sibley, whilst McEachran will be released, which will leave us very light in this area, because I highly doubt that we keep Sibley. If we can get Matos back, that would be great, but I think we need at least one more for this position considering we play two pivots. I think we will keep El Miz.

Currie could be very good. I saw quite a lot of him at AFCW. Reminds me of Bennett. Very controlled, defensively sound. Pacy. Gets forward well. And....he has a long throw!

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

His "plateaux" is apparently 8th in the Championship. I don't think we will be getting bored bashing our heads against the ceiling any time soon...

He sits, relaxing in his hot tub, beer in hand, on the first day of a two week luxury holiday in The Maldives.

"I'm not sure I'll find this quite so relaxing by the 2nd Thursday", he laments.

 

[Berliner]

Appreciate this isn't a transfer rumours thread, but my understanding is that TG isn't happy with his treatment post-red card. I really wouldn't be surprised to see a transfer there..

Maybe if he looked at his own performance instead of getting the bottom lip out, then he may get back to his former standing and potential. He's been a passenger since Christmas.

 

[Vancouver Yellow]

I know he’s had a baby and that’s impacted his play etc, but I’m personally not so convinced that he’s got what it takes to be a top player at this level.

If another Boro/Leeds type club comes in with £5m+ bid I’d be all over it, but I worry that his significant drop in form has negatively impacted his value.

 

[holdsteady]

Appreciate this isn't a transfer rumours thread, but my understanding is that TG isn't happy with his treatment post-red card. I really wouldn't be surprised to see a transfer there..

If we get a decent fee I wouldn't be too bothered, he is pure profit from a transfer point of view and doesn't really fit into the way Rowett plays, with a decent sell on fee included we cover ourselves if he does push on. Has the very handy skill of popping up with a goal which we will miss and is hard working, but no real pace or power and doesn't seem to have nailed down a position. Saying that he pushed on during his second season of league one football so could well prove me wrong at championship level, don't see him ever being a prem player though.

 

[Foley]

Appreciate this isn't a transfer rumours thread, but my understanding is that TG isn't happy with his treatment post-red card. I really wouldn't be surprised to see a transfer there..

A little disappointing if true.
He has had opportunities and has been nowhere near at his best.
I wouod expect him to be unhappy that he hasn't played more, but his performances hardly warrant it?

 

[Carpy]

Appreciate this isn't a transfer rumours thread, but my understanding is that TG isn't happy with his treatment post-red card. I really wouldn't be surprised to see a transfer there..

Wouldn't be disappointed about this myself, rarely sets the world alight in the Championship, has scored some worldies early on but even they've dried up as the season has gone on.

Think we can find someone who has a more regular impact on games.

 

[Osleroad]

A little disappointing if true.
He has had opportunities and has been nowhere near at his best.
I wouod expect him to be unhappy that he hasn't played more, but his performances hardly warrant it?

This is very true- don't get this doesn't fit mentality-managers know that he brings energy onto the pitch but it's whether he can get into games at any point

 

[holdsteady]

What would be a price you wouldn’t turn down for Goodrham? £4 million for me, although I might be being optimistic on the amount.